Robert and Rachel Mardock write about Life after the Peace Corps in Romania

Over three years ago - about 2 days after arriving in Romania for two years in the Peace Corps - we were already planning for our return to America. While we were in Romania, we took a couple of classes by correspondence so we would qualify for graduate school.

Picture your life as a constant mesh of paths, choices, and consequences. For several years we have been trying to plot a course that would lead towards careers in international finance / business / relations, etc.

As our paths trudge on, we realize that life is so unpredictable and so much fun. You never know where you will be taken. It would have been impossible for us to imagine that we would be living in Austin and getting ready to move to Houston.

Over three years ago - about 2 days after arriving in Romania for two years in the Peace Corps - we were already planning for our return to America. While we were in Romania, we took a couple of classes by correspondence so we would qualify for graduate school. We made the decision for Rachel to go to grad school first, because her program was only one year, and for Rob to go to grad school secondů this made even more sense since Rob didn't yet have access to his official undergrad transcripts. (Make sure you pay your school bills!)

We both continue to be amazed by God's grace. This isn't cliché! When you listen to what the Lord is trying to say, and are obedient to his "suggestions" for your life, you can be a world changer! We don't have a lot of money, but by living life like Ps. 3:5-6 and Jer. 29:11, we know that there is no limit to what we can accomplish.

When this story was posted in June 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:

The Peace Corps LibraryPeace Corps Online is proud to announce that the Peace Corps Library is now available online. With over 30,000 index entries in 500 categories, this is the largest collection of Peace Corps related stories in the world. From Acting to Zucchini, you can find hundreds of stories about what RPCVs with your same interests or from your Country of Service are doing today. If you have a web site, support the "Peace Corps Library" and link to it today.

American Taboo: A Peace Corps TragedyReturned Volunteers met with author Philip Weiss in Baltimore on June 18 to discuss the murder of Peace Corps Volunteer Deborah Gardner. Weiss was a member of a panel that included three psychiatrists and a criminal attorney. Meanwhile, the Seattle U.S. Attorney's office announced that Dennis Priven cannot be retried for the murder. "We do not believe this case can be prosecuted by anyone, not only us, but in any other jurisdiction in the United States." Read background on the case here.

June 14: Peace Corps suspends Haiti programAfter Uzbekistan, the Peace Corps has announced the suspension of a second program this month - this time in Haiti. Background: The suspension comes after a US Embassy warning, a request from Tom Lantos' office, and the program suspension last year. For the record: PCOL supports Peace Corps' decision to suspend the two programs and commends the agency for the efficient way PCVs were evacuated safely. Our only concern now is with the placement of evacuated PCVs and the support they receive after interrupted service.

Friends of the Peace Corps 170,000 strong170,000 is a very special number for the RPCV community - it's the number of Volunteers who have served in the Peace Corps since 1961. It's also a number that is very special to us because March is the first month since our founding in January, 2001 that our readership has exceeded 170,000. And while we know that not everyone who comes to this site is an RPCV, they are all "Friends of the Peace Corps." Thanks everybody for making PCOL your source of news for the Returned Volunteer community.

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Story Source: Personal Web Site

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Romania; Blogs - Romania

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